If the bags can support a moderate load without the WLs than you have a narrow convenient setup for those lightly loaded times and just carry the WLs with you in your bags so you can deploy them when you need to carry something heavy and/or bulky. I ride with my WLs & straps actually and Footsies & Long loader in my Xtracycle bags 24/7 so I can tackle whatever cargo I come across. That gives total flexibility with the ease of riding similar to a single bike when unloaded. Which sums up why I love my BD...
Have a ton of fun with yours...
